This exhibition, eight years in the planning, had the misfortune to open one week before the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake; the exhibition was immediately taken down and never went up again – the Christchurch Art Gallery has still not reopened. Although in my book Fantastica: The World of Leo Bensemann (NRO1) I covered the whole of Bensemann’s career, in the exhibition I took responsibility for the paintings (portraits and landscapes) , while Dr. Noel Waite (University of Otago) looked after Bensemann’s graphic work, book design and printing. This was the most extensive exhibition of Bensemann’s work ever mounted and together with Fantastica will compel a major reassessment of his place in New Zealand culture. Art New Zealand wrote of it: ‘The exhibition (including more than 100 items) is significant in bringing together what has in the past appeared disparate and unrelated; here Bensemann's entire oeuvre - the output of a painter, illustrator, calligrapher, typographer, designer and publisher is given equal billing. Although this exhibition is an important re-assessment and valuable for a new generation unfamiliar with his work, a national touring show would have precipitated an even greater awareness’.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4089 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 2 May 2012. File reference: CCL-2012-05-02IMG_2161 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 2 May 2012. File reference: CCL-2012-05-02IMG_2162 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 2 May 2012. File reference: CCL-2012-05-02IMG_2160 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Photographs of the Brick Art unveiling, Greening the Rubble, on the former Asko site - corner of Victoria and Salisbury Streets, Christchurch 8 February 2011. From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries CCL-Brickart-2011-IMG_2459
Re:START Mall, Cashel Street, Christchurch. Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4090 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
A photograph of Barnaby Bennett giving a talk at Something Super during FESTA 2013. The event was held at ArtBox and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of Barnaby Bennett giving a talk at Something Super during FESTA 2013. The event was held at ArtBox and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mosaic artist Sarah Rutland creates art work from broken objects and hopes to create art from Canterbury's rubble".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mosaic artist Sarah Rutland creates art work from broken objects and hopes to create art from Canterbury's rubble".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mosaic artist Sarah Rutland creates art work from broken objects and hopes to create art from Canterbury's rubble".
A photograph of street art on a building between Brighton Mall and Beresford Street. The art includes the words "Brighton Creative Quarter!".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mosaic artist Sarah Rutland creates art work from broken objects and hopes to create art from Canterbury's rubble".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mosaic artist Sarah Rutland creates art work from broken objects and hopes to create art from Canterbury's rubble".
A photograph of the inside of ArtBox gallery, which was the venue for Something Super. This event was part of FESTA 2013 and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of the inside of ArtBox gallery, where people are gathered for Something Super. This event was part of FESTA 2013 and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of the inside of ArtBox gallery, which was the venue for Something Super. This event was part of FESTA 2013 and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of the inside of ArtBox gallery, which was the venue for Something Super. This event was part of FESTA 2013 and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of a panaroma of Christchurch on a wall of the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was set up as a temporary Civil Defence headquarters set up at the Christchurch Art Gallery after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
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A photograph of street art at the Addington Saleyards, taken before the Canterbury earthquakes. One of the art works depicts an intoxicated Mickey Mouse.
A photograph of street art on the corner of Bowhill Road and Marine Parade. A sheet of metal has been attached to a fence, with the message, "Art is awesome". Above this, a message has been painted on the fence, reading, "More than art...".
Emergency management personnel outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was used as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Emergency Management personnel outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was used as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Emergency Management personnel outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was used as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Emergency management personnel outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was used as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of Architect Pippin Wright-Stow from F3 Design giving a talk at Something Super during FESTA 2013. The event was held at ArtBox and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of Architect Pippin Wright-Stow from F3 Design giving a talk at Something Super during FESTA 2013. The event was held at ArtBox and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.
A photograph of Architect Pippin Wright-Stow from F3 Design giving a talk at Something Super during FESTA 2013. The event was held at ArtBox and included food, music, art, animation and talks about ArtBox, BeatBox and the future of Christchurch.